When Is the Next Jubilee Year?

In short, the answer to your question is that the Jubilee year is currently not observed or commemorated. The reasons for this are complex and involve many different opinions on the matter. In the following lines I will attempt to briefly relay the relevant issues.

According to biblical law, the Jubilee is only observed when all twelve tribes of the Jewish nation are living in Israel, as is derived from the verse,1 “And you shall sanctify the fiftieth year, and proclaim freedom throughout the land for all who live on it,” which implies that the Jubilee is only sanctified when “all who live on it”—meaning, all who are meant to be living there—are in the Land of Israel. Furthermore, the Jubilee is only observed when every tribe is living in the specific part of the land which was it was allotted when the Land of Israel was divided. However, some are of the opinion that the Jubilee is observed as long as there is a partial representation of each tribe, even if most of the tribe is not in Israel.

In the 6th century BCE, the Assyrians conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel and sent the majority of its population into exile. Those who were deported are historically known as the Ten Lost Tribes.

We are certain that before that point in time the Jubilee was regularly observed. We also know that, with the destruction of the Second Temple and the disbandment of the Sanhedrin (supreme rabbinical court), we ceased to mark the Jubilee year in any form. The periods about which there is a question are the remaining years between the exile of the Ten Tribes and the destruction of the First Temple, and the Second Temple Era.

According to the opinion that partial representation of each tribe is sufficient to fulfill the scriptural requirement, biblically mandated Jubilees were fully observed throughout the periods in question, because there remained a small representation of each tribe in Israel.

However, according to the first opinion mentioned above, with the exile of the Northern Kingdom the required condition for the Jubilee to be sanctified was lost. Thus, the last time there was a biblical requirement to observe the Jubilee was about 150 years before the destruction of the First Temple.

The question remains, however, whether according to this opinion Jubilee years were designated or observed during this time by rabbinic injunction. This is the subject of debate amongst the sages.2

As mentioned above, though, today the Jubilee year is neither designated nor observed.3

And now for the answer to your question: “When is the next Jubilee year?”

We eagerly await the day when G‑d will bring our entire nation back to our homeland—including the ten “lost” tribes—and we will again resume observing the Jubilee year, as well as so many other mitzvot which we are incapable of performing until that awaited day.4

The reasons behind this debate: Although there was no biblical requirement to observe the Jubilee year after the Ten Tribes were exiled, the observance of the shemittah (Sabbatical year) remained a biblical obligation. The integrity of the seven-year Sabbatical cycle depended on the larger fifty-year cycle—after completing seven seven-year cycles, a one-year hiatus was taken before the new cycle began (on the 51st year). It was thus necessary to designate a (non-observed) fiftieth “Jubilee” year. Others explain that the sages also instituted the (partial) observance of the laws of Jubilee to commemorate the biblical mitzvah.
However, there is also an opinion in the Talmud that the Jubilee is not an “in-between-cycles year,” but rather that it is the first of the next 49-year cycle, and thus not designating it would not impact the calculation of the Sabbatical cycles. This opinion also maintains that the Sages never instituted the Jubilee year as a commemoration.

Although the laws of shemittah are observed in Israel to this very day, the Jubilee year is not designated or observed. There are many reasons for this. Some of them: a) The Jubilee only affected the shemittah cycle when the shemittah was established and declared by the Sanhedrin, as opposed to today when it is automatically programmed into the perpetual Jewish calendar. b) The observance of shemittah today is only a rabbinic decree, and therefore the Jubilee year does not affect its cycle. c) No commemoration is in order when there is no Sanhedrin, whose participation in the declaration of the Jubilee year was integral. In fact, it was the Sanhedrin’s blast of the shofar (ram's horn) on Yom Kippur which signaled the entry of the Jubilee year.

Yovel, or the Jubilee, is an aspect of Shabbat, or the Sabbath, and was established at Creation as Shoshana has said. Just as the Temple has no role in Shabbat, Yovel does not require the Temple for its observance. Shabbat (to include Sabbatical years and Yovel), Pesach, Shavuot, Yom Teruah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot are all eternal ordinances to be observed, not only in the Land of Israel, but by the people of YHVH, where ever they may be.
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ClintNovember 3, 2018

So back to the article, if we don't observe the jubilee because there is no temple then why follow the sabath? Both were instituted after the Exodus and before the Temple?
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The Count
David E, It can be done but your count methodology is in error. Shavuot shows us, we are to count 49 days, 7 weeks of 7 days totaling 49 days. The 50th day is Shavuot. Yovel is counted as 7 years to the Sabbatical year. Then 7 Sabbatical years totaling 49 years. The 50th year is Yovel. Then it must be understood that the 50th year is also the 1st year of the next Sabbatical year, otherwise the pattern of 7's established by Shabbat is broken. The next question is how do we establish the correct date of a true. documented Yovel. I believe this is found in 2nd Kings 19:29. It is further confirmed by archeology, tombstone dates, and other surviving records.
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David EbrahimoffLondonJuly 23, 2018

in response to Charles Reed:

Thank you for your comments Charles. I agree there is some dispute here but:1. Rashi uses "my" method to calculate the 70 years of the Babylonian exile.2. There is a posook that states "six years shall you......". If we use "your" method then they would only be working the land for five years.{This argument is diluted by the fact that the Torah states regarding Shabbat "six days shall you work..." but clearly this does not apply in those weeks where there is aYom Tov.}

"My" method has a natural appeal and until I read further the other method had not occurred to me. Also without any assumptions you do not get anywhere so I have taken the view that I have.I had to choose the most appealing (to me) of the two methods.

I just looked up your reference Kings II 19:29: It supports both methods of calculation:7 x 7 + 1 = 50 (last year in the 50 year cycle is the Yovel.)7 x 7 = 49 (with the first year in each 49 year cycle [except the first cycle] is the Yovel.){Both these methods entail two years in succession.}

There is a third method where the 49th year of each 49 year cycle is both shemitah and yovel.Your reference rules out this method of calculation.

Charles - could you direct me to references for the archaeological evidence; I would like to consider these if possible
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Efren GamboaBeaumont, TxAugust 14, 2018

in response to Charles Reed:

Jubilee year
We are in year 5998 from creation. In early April of year 2020 Jubilee year 120 will begin; which will be year 6000 from creation. The whole year 6000 will be holy; the first year of the next Sabbatical year will be year 6001 or from early April of 2021 through early April 2022. The Jubilee year is a commandment for the whole world to observe if the whole world wants to be blessed for forty-nine more years.
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CharlesYakima, WAAugust 1, 2018

in response to David Ebrahimoff:

References
As far as I know, the rules of this blog do not allow sharing links or attachments. Moderator: If possible could you provide David Ebrahimoff with my email address so that he can contact me directly please?
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David EbrahimoffLondonAugust 16, 2018

in response to Efren Gamboa:

This is another point that is disputed - i.e. the number of years since Adam and Havah were created.Efren - Why do you start counting the Yoval from year 1?
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ShoshanaGANovember 6, 2018

in response to Efren Gamboa:

Some years appear to have been lost in the counting between the Temples. I thought we were actually around the year 6000 from creation already but you may very well have a point. Recently I read something about the present Jewish calendar ending in the year 2020 and going back to the way it used to be calculated before it was changed to a fixed calendar which of course I would love to see happen. This year should have been a pregnant year had that been the case already...
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EfrenBeaumontNovember 5, 2018

in response to David Ebrahimoff:

In the week of creation in Genesis 1 it states that it was the first day, and it was the second day; and so forth up to the seventh day. In the first day timing was created by the earth rotating 24 hours in one cycle; it marked the beginning of time for us humans or Adams and the whole knew creation. Timing began 5 days before humans were created. Timing began with the new moon of the twelfth month on the East top dead center. The new moon became the odemeter of Years; the sun became the odemeter of seasons and earth the odemeter of hours. All three are timed together to mark, hours, months, seasons and years; to maintain an accurate; unchangable and exact timing of years. The Jubilee year is so humans can celebrate every 50 year of the new creation’s existence; and replicate the original state of humans when we were created; free without worries or pain; solely dependent on God Almighty. Calculating using the new moon we are in year 5998.
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EfrenBeaumontNovember 7, 2018

in response to Shoshana:

I have done the calculation by using dates and the calendars of the time up to 2017 and came out with 5997 for 2017. From the end of the 70 years of captivity add 490 years and the date will be 63 BC. than use the calendars from there; the Holy Calendar has 364 days per year; so you will need to do some syncronizing from there. I used the formula using the new moon; and with it verified that 5997 was indeed the correct date for 2017.I live in the state of Texas, in the past few years we have had drought to the point of loosing all the water of some lakes; this year the lakes are overflowing in Texas. What makes the Earth become pregnant better than water? Once you add water to the seed the seed will grow. The stock market is higher than it has ever been. Everything points out that the Almighty has fulfilled his part; and if we summit to the will of God Almighty than we will do better than just survive the next two years by simply following his directions; which will start in early Apr
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ShoshanaGANovember 12, 2018

in response to Efren:

Excellent point about the earth's pregnancy and water. Yes, your calculations are pretty good. Although is debatable, I concur that we missed years in the counting between Temples...
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David EbrahimoffLondonJuly 20, 2018

Yoval & Shemitah
The other point I forgot to mention that if you accept the calculation as mentioned below (which Rashi uses to calculate the 70 years of the Babylonian exile) knowing the Yoval is dependent on knowing the Shemitah AND knowing the Shemitah is dependent on knowing the Yoval.It seems one can not exist without the other.

I find the view that the Shemitah is considered Rabbinical today difficult to accept.I believe it is based on the view that the tribes of Reuben, Gad and part of Manashe went into exile and the Bnei Yisroel were no longer occupying the whole of Eretz Yisroel.In fact I believe that the borders of Eretz Yisroel are defined in Parsha Massei and do not include the territories of these tribes.Reply

David EbrahimoffLONDONJuly 18, 2018

Yoval Jubilee
There seem to be lots of laws that we observe today that have a Torah basis but are essentially rabbinical in nature due to our current circumstances.

So my plan is to try to calculate the Yoval on the basis that:It started 14 Years after the Bnei Yisrael first entered Eretz Yisrael.There is a 50 year cycle (the 50th year being the last year in the cycle) and the following 50 year cycle starts in the 51st year.The cycle starts on Yom Kippur and finishes on the last day of Ellul.The cycles never stopped.(Yes I know these points are open to dispute but if you do not make some basic assumptions you will never get anywhere.)

Somehow it does not look like it will be too difficult after all if we know that this year is 5778 we should be able to work this out quite easily.

Thank you for your detailed reply. I think the problem of only 5 years of work is alleviated by Exodus Chp. 12 which establishes Aviv (or Nisan) as the "beginning of months" which allows a crop to be produced and harvested in its season by not waiting for Rosh Hashanah (1Tishre) to mark the beginning of months. Also part of the concept of Yovel is to trust and rely upon Ha Shem for His provision and restoration. I was largely persuaded of this counting by archeological evidence of tombstone date inscriptions and other records of deeds and debts from the time of the 2nd Temple. 2 Kings 19:29 clearly documents a Sabbatical year followed by Yovel, and the dates are confirmed by events recorded concerning Hezekiah and Sennacherb king of Assyria. The specific dates of 700 and 701 BC are also confirmed in Assyrian artifacts. Projecting this count of 7 7's into the past and the future coordinates Yovel with several significant events; among them, entering the land in Exodus (Shemot).
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AvrahamNYJanuary 15, 2018

Next Yovel?
Back in Israel when Chaim Herzog was president, there was a yovel celebration in Jerusalem at the Kotel.
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ShoshanaGAAugust 31, 2017

According to Rabbi Judah Ben Samuel 2017 is the 50th based on his previous proven predictions.
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Jeff YassanyGrants Pass Oregon September 3, 2017

in response to Shoshana:

Thanks Shoshana, that was my question you answered, i was wanting to know that if it was still observed what year would it fall on now, thanks so much, Jeff
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Charles ReedGraham, WASeptember 3, 2017

in response to Shoshana:

Proof?
how proven? Yovel isn't a matter of predictions, Torah outlines exactly how it is to be determined.
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ShoshanaGASeptember 4, 2017

in response to Charles Reed:

Rabbi Samuel Ben Judah used Torah to base his opinions. Ben Samuel's died in 1517 when the Turks conquered Jerusalem. Lev 25 tells us about the cycle. Here are the fulfillments of his prophecies so far and proof:

"When the Ottomans conquer Jerusalem they will rule over Jerusalem for eight jubilees."

"Afterwards Jerusalem will become no-man’s land for one jubilee" (1917-1967) The British conquered the Turks and the League of Nations took the Mandate for the Holy Land to the British, thus making Jerusalem no-man's land under international law.

"in the ninth jubilee it will once again come back into the possession of the Jewish nation – which would signify the beginning of the Messianic end time." We know in 1967 the Six Day War happened and Israel retook Jerusalem. 1967 to 2017...
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Even though it's not being observed it would be nice to know where it falls on the calendar as in 2016 or 2017 it's hard to get a clear answer
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CharlesGraham, WAAugust 31, 2017

in response to Anonymous:

perhaps a clear answer...
If you look back through the thread of this blog, you will find well supported opinion that 2016 was a Sabbatical year...the 3rd cycle leading to the next Jubilee year in 2044... which, interestingly, will be the 120th Jubilee.
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So if it was still observed today, what years would be jubilee years?
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Malkie Janowski for Chabad.orgChabad.orgNovember 1, 2016

There are numerous commandments that can only be performed when the Holy Temple is standing, and for all of those, we need to wait until Moshiach comes before we can fulfill them.
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DesireeMauiOctober 19, 2016

"so many other mitzvot which we are incapable of performing until that awaited day."

What other mitzvot are you incapable of performing at present, and why?
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Deborah RiglerPhoenixJune 15, 2016

Correction With Respect...
You stated: "In the 6th century BCE, the Assyrians conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel and sent the majority of its population into exile. Those who were deported are historically known as the Ten Lost Tribes.

We are certain that before that point in time the Jubilee was regularly observed."

2 kings 18:10-12 At the end of three years they captured it; in the sixth year of Hezekiah, which was the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel, Samaria was captured. Then the king of Assyria carried Israel away into exile to Assyria, and put them in Halah and on the Habor, the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes, because they did not obey the voice of the L ord their God, but transgressed His covenant, even all that Moses the servant of the L ord commanded; they would neither listen nor do it.
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Betty WadeMichigan. U.S.A.March 3, 2016

This was very helpful as I research the Jubilee year. Might it be that this observance is a foreshadowing of the Messiah???
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Shalom John from Houston, my birthplace,
Hi John,What Pamela is saying is essentially correct. If you will look at 2 Kings 19:29 you will see in Scripture the picture of a Sabbatical and Jubilee year, back to back. I do not agree with the years of the Hillel II calendar but I do agree that they are back to back. You find this also mentioned in Lev: 25:1-17. Go back to Lev. 23:15-22 and read about Shavuot. This is why I call this the Shavuot system of counting. 7x7=49 + 1= 50 which is the first day of the new week, or in the case of the Jubilee, is the first year of the new cycle. Hope this helps.CC
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CharlesGraham, WASeptember 8, 2015

two years of rest
John, indeed there are two years of no reaping, pruning and sowing. The 49th Sabbatical year, there is no reaping, pruning, sowing and harvesting. Then again, during the 50th year, Yovel (the year of Jubilee) there is no reaping, pruning, sowing and harvesting. In addition there is a release of debts and the land returns to its original owner. Vayikra (Leviticus) Chapter 25 describes this.
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JohnHouston TexasSeptember 6, 2015

Pamela....there is a conflict in your suggestion....if the Jubilee starts at the end of the The Shemitah, this would require two years of refraining from sowing/reaping.

Rabbi Judah ben Samuel of Regensburg
Judah ben Samuel of Regensburg (born 1150 in Speyer, Germany - Feb. 22, 1217 in Regensburg), also called HeHasid or 'the Pious' in Hebrew, was a leader of the Chassidei Ashkenaz, a movement of Jewish mysticism in Germany considered different from Kabbalistic mysticism because it emphasizes specific prayer and moral conduct. Judah settled in Regensburg in 1195. He wrote Sefer Hasidim (Book of the Pious), Rabbi ben Samuel wrote a prophecy which would signify the beginning of the Messianic end time, in the prophecy he talk about 8 Yovels that would have to happen before the Messiah appears. Can you tell me about this prophecy.
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mark prillwitzfloridaAugust 8, 2015

I am puzzled by the logic of footnote 2 in comparison to Leviticus chapter 25 verses 8 thru 11.it clearly states your 49 and your 50 I fail to see how year 50 starts the cycle but rather completes the cycles
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ShoshanaGAJune 30, 2015

Pamela you make an excellent point. The Almighty is the one who has established His Jubelee and He certaintly is not dependant on man to carry it.

"The Sanhedrin did not set up the Shemitah nor the Jubilee. These were instituted by God Almighty concerning the Israelites for ALL time. You can read all about it in the book of Leviticus. "
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